away with the pinch-pleated curtains

[michelle]

We can only hang curtains from a traverse rod mounted from the ceiling. The previous owners hung those old pinch-pleated curtains, which is not our style!
What type of curtain can I use with the old traverse rods? We would like to hang either panels or grommet styled curtains from this rod, can we? I have to believe that they must make new accessories that you could slide into these traverse rods to accomodate some of the more modern styled curtains of today, can anybody help? I have looked at hardware stores and on-line but can't seem to find anything!

[Shadeladie]

The new pinch pleats are much prettier today. But you can only hang some sort of pleated draperies, such as goblets (very pretty) or the new euro pleats from traverse rods. If you want grommets or similar, you can get one of those track systems from Ikea.

[dmphillips]

I believe that you can use traverse rods with most curtains and drapes, not just pinch-pleated curtains. I use traverse rods for my sheers that have rod pockets. I simply sewed hooks to my sheers and attached them to the traverse rods which make it easy to open them and close them when I so desire. I have rods in front of them for my tab top curtains. If you wanted to hang something heavier from the rods and are concerned about the fabric being able to hold the weight with your hooks, you could always attach some curtain tape to the back of your curtains first. You will want to use curtains that have some header so that you will not see much of the hooks, but rod pocket headings are pretty easy to find and many inexpensive curtains come with them.

[emiliao]

If you want grommets or similar, you can get one of those track systems from Ikea.

I wish I had seen this before I went out and bought pricey traverse rods! :(

In any case, I have a similar situation where I am using a traverse rod for convenience, but I really do not like the look of pleats. After looking for different types of pleats I saw that the Cartridge pleats on this page http://www.uniquely-u.com/id55.html
have the clean lines I'm looking for. Do you think this style would work with traverse rods? Also, is this style commonly called something else? I could not find it available for sale. (I am not someone who is good at sewing.)

I am also wondering if I could buy some regular drapes and do some simple stitches to make that look. . . or do you think the solution dmphillips suggested sounds feasible? "I simply sewed hooks to my sheers and attached them to the traverse rods which make it easy to open them and close them when I so desire."

Thank you!!

[Shadeladie]

Since I wrote that, I haven't heard many good things about that trac rod. Not very sturdy, so you really do get what you paid for. A good traverse rod will support much more weight and not fall apart on you.
As for pleats, pinch pleats usually look much nicer than on that page you posted. Most of the other pleats including the cartridge pleat (yes, that's the correct and only name for them), are only available as custom or semi-custom, as far as I know. You can use them on a traverse rod, but the pleats are actually quite large so they don't stack very well. If you need to clear the glass, these aren't the best choice, and probably work best as stationary.
I don't see how using flat or rodpocket panels can work on these. The whole point to a traverse rod is to be able to open and close them easily and for them to remain neat looking. A flat panel is going to go all willy wonky :D each time and would require constant fussing. However, if this is going to be your only option, I guess you can stitch small tucks down about every 4" apart to stick a pin into, but I'm afraid you won't get the cartridge look. You need alot more fabric in order to make cartridge pleats. Also make sure the panels you buy are wide enough or you may not have enough to work with.

[emiliao]

Thanks for the advice! I think I understand now why the pleating is my best option. I'll look around and I'm sure I can find something that will fit what I'm looking for!

[Shadeladie]

Have you checked out JCPENNEY (http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/default.aspx)? They have a pretty decent selection for readymades and have sales all the time.